Your column is enlightening and, as always, on point. One quibble: misinformation should be disinformation as the lies are deliberately created to sway voters, not mistaken information.
I second the comment about MISinformation vs DISinformation. I think we need to be more forthright about calling out this information as deliberate lies with the intent to confuse and sow doubt. These were not casual, misinformed statements.
A lie is a lie is a lie. Misinformation is more a misunderstanding or a misinterpretation. But disinformation is just a glossy term. That said a pretty good column today. And I agree with Bill that the existence of anyone’s kids or grandkids is seriously jeopardized by the orange liar winning. Although being an old hippie anti war protestor type, it’s pretty darn scary that I think the FBI is doing a better job than most folks in the poll.
The discussion of "Republicans" moving further right is one I'm having in my head a lot. Two thoughts one it:
1 - How does one now define "Republican"? MTG is a Republican but so is Liz Cheney. One is in fact in a party called MAGA and one is a Republican.
2 - What does further right mean? Clearly the MTG group is in a third dimension moving away but neither right or left but 'out'. This is black comedy but still true and relevant.
I get surveys (on Prolific, etc) that ask my opinion on Republicans and I invariably answer thinking about the MAGA party.
How would you feel if the person sitting next to you at a dinner was a Republican? If it was Gaetz, not great. If it was Mona Charon, wonderful.
We need a new political vocabulary and a greatly expanded political dictionary.
Have you taken a look at Ohio’s Senate and House races? The lies are flying at all of us and it’s hard to know if ANYTHING is true about the candidates. Do you think this is just because of Trump and the division of voters, or will this be every election going forward?
Is Vance any better than Trump? Could our country come together if Vance somehow ends up with the president’s job? Curious!
How do you fight misinformation, particularly because it is spread by social media apps. I don’t need to list them SubStack is NOT one and that’s why I love it
In June 2023, Congress transitioned the Emergency Food and Shelter Program-Humanitarian (EFSP-H) to the Shelter and Services Program (SSP). I will call these programs Migrant Aid. The intent is “to support the safe, orderly and humane release of noncitizen migrants from short-term holding facilities.”
Homeland Security then directed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to transfer $785 million of its FY23 budget to FEMA to administer these two funds of Migrant Aid. $425 million went to EFSP-H (and presumably was distributed.) $360 million went to SSP.
In FY24, Congress appropriated $650 million more earmarked for SSP
Translated this means the federal government between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024, 1 billion, 435 million has been budgeted (and presumably spent) on migrant aid.
I have looked at the FY 2024 Budget in Brief published by Homeland Security. SSP is described under the “Service to the Public” heading which describes disaster services. The SSP fund is not a line item in the chart. In the Highlights section, it is noted that “[i]f a significant migrant surge is sustained into FY 24” 800 million will be directed to FEMA. It surely sounds as if SSP gets FEMA funds though maybe from a pot different from the disaster services.
When the government makes information which should be available to the general public in a simple form, there will be mis & dis information. We should know how much money is being spent on the migrant influx.
Well Thanks for setting the record straight, Gabe!! These "Lies"or "False"information needs to be squashed. It's ridiculous and wastes precious time away from the Help the Emergency Programs are trying to do for the American people who are in dire need of their services. It sickens me. Heaven help the people who are in the path of another Hurricane 🙏 and someone needs to put a muzzle on trump's big,fat and ugly mouth!! Thank You, Gabe, for your piece today and will reStack ASAP!💯👍🇺🇸💙🌊🌊🌊
Two points: 1. MAGA Republicans ARE NOT Republicans. They are pretenders to, and thieves of, the Republican party. 2. I find Gabe to be naive in believing that there will be a world for his grandchildren, let alone children. If trump regains power, environmental and/or geopolitical forces will conspire to put an end to all of us!
Your column is enlightening and, as always, on point. One quibble: misinformation should be disinformation as the lies are deliberately created to sway voters, not mistaken information.
Yes, I came to the comments section to make the same point. It is DISINFORMATION
I think the mis in missinformation refers to the greak word mis which means bad.
I second the comment about MISinformation vs DISinformation. I think we need to be more forthright about calling out this information as deliberate lies with the intent to confuse and sow doubt. These were not casual, misinformed statements.
A solid column from Gabe as usual.
A lie is a lie is a lie. Misinformation is more a misunderstanding or a misinterpretation. But disinformation is just a glossy term. That said a pretty good column today. And I agree with Bill that the existence of anyone’s kids or grandkids is seriously jeopardized by the orange liar winning. Although being an old hippie anti war protestor type, it’s pretty darn scary that I think the FBI is doing a better job than most folks in the poll.
The discussion of "Republicans" moving further right is one I'm having in my head a lot. Two thoughts one it:
1 - How does one now define "Republican"? MTG is a Republican but so is Liz Cheney. One is in fact in a party called MAGA and one is a Republican.
2 - What does further right mean? Clearly the MTG group is in a third dimension moving away but neither right or left but 'out'. This is black comedy but still true and relevant.
I get surveys (on Prolific, etc) that ask my opinion on Republicans and I invariably answer thinking about the MAGA party.
How would you feel if the person sitting next to you at a dinner was a Republican? If it was Gaetz, not great. If it was Mona Charon, wonderful.
We need a new political vocabulary and a greatly expanded political dictionary.
Have you taken a look at Ohio’s Senate and House races? The lies are flying at all of us and it’s hard to know if ANYTHING is true about the candidates. Do you think this is just because of Trump and the division of voters, or will this be every election going forward?
Is Vance any better than Trump? Could our country come together if Vance somehow ends up with the president’s job? Curious!
How do you fight misinformation, particularly because it is spread by social media apps. I don’t need to list them SubStack is NOT one and that’s why I love it
Well written and quite informative - as always. Thank you Gabe.
RE: FEMA funds/Separate Pots
In June 2023, Congress transitioned the Emergency Food and Shelter Program-Humanitarian (EFSP-H) to the Shelter and Services Program (SSP). I will call these programs Migrant Aid. The intent is “to support the safe, orderly and humane release of noncitizen migrants from short-term holding facilities.”
Homeland Security then directed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to transfer $785 million of its FY23 budget to FEMA to administer these two funds of Migrant Aid. $425 million went to EFSP-H (and presumably was distributed.) $360 million went to SSP.
In FY24, Congress appropriated $650 million more earmarked for SSP
Translated this means the federal government between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024, 1 billion, 435 million has been budgeted (and presumably spent) on migrant aid.
I have looked at the FY 2024 Budget in Brief published by Homeland Security. SSP is described under the “Service to the Public” heading which describes disaster services. The SSP fund is not a line item in the chart. In the Highlights section, it is noted that “[i]f a significant migrant surge is sustained into FY 24” 800 million will be directed to FEMA. It surely sounds as if SSP gets FEMA funds though maybe from a pot different from the disaster services.
When the government makes information which should be available to the general public in a simple form, there will be mis & dis information. We should know how much money is being spent on the migrant influx.
Think Emily Litella for misinformation
What does “Restack” mean?
Well Thanks for setting the record straight, Gabe!! These "Lies"or "False"information needs to be squashed. It's ridiculous and wastes precious time away from the Help the Emergency Programs are trying to do for the American people who are in dire need of their services. It sickens me. Heaven help the people who are in the path of another Hurricane 🙏 and someone needs to put a muzzle on trump's big,fat and ugly mouth!! Thank You, Gabe, for your piece today and will reStack ASAP!💯👍🇺🇸💙🌊🌊🌊
Two points: 1. MAGA Republicans ARE NOT Republicans. They are pretenders to, and thieves of, the Republican party. 2. I find Gabe to be naive in believing that there will be a world for his grandchildren, let alone children. If trump regains power, environmental and/or geopolitical forces will conspire to put an end to all of us!